Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Cove of Many Faces

The Swallow Tail peninsula is named for its resemblance to the long tail of a swallow with wings extending on either side (Pettes Cove to the south) and toward Fish Head on the north. Swallows were very common on the island, lining up along the power lines when the chicks fledged. Unfortunately, it is rare to see swallows now as their population declines across North America.

Marine navigators often picked out rock features or other features along the shoreline to help find their way along the coastline before electronic devices took over. This can be even more challenging where fog can more in suddenly and may stay for days in the hot days of summer.

There are a number of rock features around Swallow Tail that are distinctive. Some are old, some are more recently formed from erosion, and others are just cool.

Two rock figures in Pettes Cove. This is also where a small cave/rock arch is located where a group of Finnian raiders hid in the 1800s. There may be other figures or faces in these rocks but these stand out, particularly at high tide for the one on the left.

Closeup of the figure on the left, reminiscent of a woman with long flowing hair.

Closeup of figure on right, reminiscent of a young boy sitting.

Perhaps a bit harder to see but two faces in the rocks near the footbridge.

Closeup of the nearest rock which looks like a face with large head, angular nose and chin - reminiscent of the Iron Man. This rock could easily fall down the cliff because of the fragmented structure of the rocks and is part of the mafic dyke (iron based volcanic rock that filled in a gap in much older rock) which the footbridge spans.

Further face with juniper hair, long flat nose and slight smirk (crack in rock face).

Rocks that were pointed out as a woman with a baby on her back (in the centre) and a dog (on the left) but also described as a boy and girl with a dog or a child with a backpack and a dog. This angle also includes two other rocks on the right which haven't been described. These are located at the very end of the peninsula and visible from the ferry.

August 15, 16, 17. International Lighthouse/Lightship weekend. Amateur radio operators set up at lighthouses and light ships around the world and attempt to communicate with each other via Ham Radio. Come join Sterling, Rick and Art at Swallowtail.